The bootcamp, running from April 20 to April 24, 2026, brings together finalists selected from more than 1,200 applicants aged between 18 and 35. All participants submitted technology-driven solutions aimed at improving agriculture.
During the training, the entrepreneurs are being equipped with practical skills to scale their businesses, attract investors, and manage finances. They are also engaging with leaders from various institutions who are providing mentorship and professional guidance.
In addition, participants are being coached on how to effectively present and refine their business ideas before a panel of judges, as they prepare for the competition’s final pitch.
The Country Director for Heifer International Rwanda, Verena Ruzibuka, said the bootcamp was designed to bridge gaps identified among the selected entrepreneurs, particularly in aligning their current progress with their long-term ambitions.
“We identified a gap between where the selected entrepreneurs are and where they need to be to grow their ventures effectively. This bootcamp is meant to close that gap,” she said.
Ruzibuka added that the goal is for participants to emerge as credible, investment-ready entrepreneurs and leaders in agri-tech, capable of transforming smallholder farming in Rwanda.
She noted that supporting these entrepreneurs goes beyond individual projects, contributing to broader goals such as strengthening the agricultural sector, creating jobs, supporting smallholder farmers, and safeguarding future food systems.
One of the participants, Abdu Usanase, founder of Agriresearch Unguka Ltd, described the bootcamp as a valuable opportunity.
“Being part of the AYuTE bootcamp is a major step for us. We are gaining mentorship, building networks, and taking part in activities that will help refine our projects to better support young farmers. We are excited to learn, grow, and compete in the next stage,” he said.
The Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTE) Africa Challenge is a competition that promotes innovative agri-tech solutions to boost agricultural development.
Prize money for winners has increased from Rwf 50 million to Rwf 65 million. The initiative targets young people interested in investing in Rwanda, offering them an opportunity to gain practical skills while also competing for financial support to scale their businesses.
Young agri-tech entrepreneurs are undergoing training and mentorship to refine their innovations before pitching in the AYuTE Africa Challenge.Twelve finalists selected from over 1,200 applicants are taking part in an intensive bootcamp ahead of the AYuTE Africa Challenge finals.Participants engage in business training, investor readiness, and pitching sessions during a bootcamp preparing them for the AYuTE Africa Challenge final stage.
The messaging service, owned by Meta Platforms, is trialling a plan called WhatsApp Plus, similar in concept to subscription offerings on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, where users pay for enhanced customisation rather than core functionality improvements.
The company confirmed the test in a statement to TechCrunch, describing WhatsApp Plus as an optional subscription designed to give users “more ways to organise and personalise their experience.”
“Premium features include expanded pinned chats, custom lists, new chat themes, and more,” a Meta spokesperson said. “We’re starting with a small test to gather feedback and ensure we’re building something people find genuinely valuable.”
Mostly cosmetic upgrades
Early details show that WhatsApp Plus is heavily centred on personalisation. Users would be able to access custom icons, themes, wallpapers, ringtones, and exclusive stickers. However, these upgrades do not significantly change the core messaging experience.
One of the more functional additions is the ability to pin up to 20 chats, compared to the current free-tier limit of three. Users may also be able to apply themes and notification tones across chat lists for a more customised interface.
Pricing has not been confirmed for African markets, including Rwanda, while early reports suggest it could be around €2.49 (approximately Rwf 4,300 ) per month in Europe.
Limited rollout and platform scope
The feature is currently being rolled out to a small number of Android users, with iOS support expected at a later stage. It is also limited to the standard WhatsApp Messenger app and does not extend to WhatsApp Business.
Meta emphasised that the subscription will not affect the core WhatsApp experience for non-paying users.
“The WhatsApp you know and rely on remains free, simple, reliable, private messaging and calling,” the company noted in its FAQ. “This subscription does not change your core experience.”
Part of a broader monetisation push
The test comes as Meta continues expanding paid features across its apps. The company has already explored similar subscription models under branding like Instagram Plus, focusing on exclusive social and customisation tools.
More broadly, Meta has been strengthening its monetisation strategy across messaging services. WhatsApp revenue has grown significantly in recent years, driven by business messaging and click-to-WhatsApp advertising tools. The company has previously said WhatsApp now generates over $2 billion in annualised revenue.
While WhatsApp Plus is still in early testing and limited to a small user base, it signals Meta’s ongoing effort to diversify revenue without disrupting the app’s free core messaging service.
For now, the experiment appears focused on one question: how much users are willing to pay just to make WhatsApp look and feel different.
The messaging service, owned by Meta Platforms, is trialling a plan called WhatsApp Plus, similar in concept to subscription offerings on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, where users pay for enhanced customisation rather than core functionality improvements.
The country has consistently prioritised attracting investment as a means of improving livelihoods and expanding its industrial base. As a result, manufacturing sectors spanning metals, food processing, textiles, and other consumer goods continue to grow steadily, supported by ongoing construction of new industrial facilities.
Speaking on the initiative, Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi highlighted that Rwanda is exploring mechanisms to add value to textile inputs by processing African cotton into yarn, which will then be transformed into fabrics for local use. This approach is expected to significantly reduce dependence on imported textiles.
Sebahizi noted that nearly 40 percent of Africa’s cotton production is concentrated in just two countries, a factor that underscores the importance of leveraging regional resources.
He revealed that an investor is set to establish operations in the Bugesera Special Economic Zone, where cotton sourced from across Africa will be processed into yarn and subsequently into fabric, which will then be used in garment manufacturing within Rwanda.
“This will reduce reliance on imported fabrics, including those from countries such as China,” Sebahizi said.
Beyond textiles, Rwanda is also placing strong emphasis on value addition across its agricultural sector. Authorities are encouraging the transformation of raw agricultural products into a diverse range of processed foods before they reach the market.
This model, widely adopted in developed economies, enables a single crop such as rice or cassava to generate multiple food products, thereby increasing economic returns and market resilience.
The government is further investing in expanding domestic manufacturing capacity in other sectors. In the construction industry, efforts are underway to boost tile production using locally available minerals, with companies like Mountain Ceramic Company Ltd in Muhanga District contributing to increased local output.
Similarly, Rwanda’s metals sector is gaining momentum. A1 Iron and Steel, located in Musanze District, is producing steel from processed mineral resources, while a glass manufacturing plant in Kicukiro District has commenced operations using melted sand. Although the plant currently supplements production with imported materials, plans are in progress to fully localize the technology and raw material sourcing in the future.
In 2025, the Government of Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the domestic garment industry, setting an ambitious target of increasing access to locally produced clothing from just 5 percent of the population to full national coverage.
With more than 1,300 manufacturing industries currently operating across the country, Rwanda’s industrialisation drive continues to gain momentum, positioning the nation for greater economic self-reliance and sustainable growth.
Rwanda seeks to address the high cost of imported fabrics through local production.
One of the global concerns linked to the conflict has been the sharp rise in petroleum prices, driven by disruptions to supply routes and reduced oil processing in the Middle East.
These effects have reached many countries, including Rwanda, which imports a significant share of its food and other goods.
A survey of major Kigali markets, including Kimironko Market and Nyabugogo Market, shows mixed trends: while prices of some essential food items have remained unchanged, others have risen sharply, making them less affordable for many consumers.
At Kimironko Market, locally produced cooking oil has seen a notable increase. A five-liter container now sells between Rwf 14,000 and Rwf 15,000, up from Rwf 11,000–12,000 just two months ago.
However, staple foods such as rice and maize flour have remained stable. A 25 kg sack of rice imported from Tanzania still costs around Rwf 38,000, while higher-quality varieties range between Rwf 47,000 and 50,000—prices that have held steady since late last year.
The same applies to rice from India, Pakistan, and locally produced varieties, which continue to retail between Rwf 1,100 and Rwf 1,300 per kilogram.
Sugar prices have also remained unchanged, selling between Rwf 1,400 and Rwf 1,600 per kilogram, similar to prices recorded two months ago.
Traders say there has been no major shock in food prices so far, though some note reduced purchasing activity. One vendor explained that many families are currently focused on paying school fees, which has affected household spending on food.
Prices of rice have seen slight increase
Fruits record sharp increases
Despite stability in some staples, fruit prices have risen significantly. A kilogram of oranges, which cost Rwf 1,000 in January 2026, now sells for about Rwf 1,500. Lemons have increased from Rwf 1,200–1,500 to between Rwf 1,800 and Rwf 2,000 per kilogram.
Tree tomatoes have also risen to around Rwf 2,000 per kilogram, up from Rwf 1,500–1,800. Other items such as cooking bananas and passion fruits have followed a similar trend.
Traders attribute these increases mainly to high transport costs, as most fruits are sourced from rural provinces or neighboring countries. The higher prices have also reduced the number of customers.
Potatoes have also gone up. At Kimironko Market, Irish potatoes from Kinigi now cost between Rwf 700 and Rwf 800 per kilogram, up from Rwf 650 six months ago. White potatoes have increased from Rwf 400 to around Rwf 600 per kilogram.
Cooking bananas have risen from Rwf 400 to between Rwf 500 and Rwf 600 per kilogram.
Meat prices, however, have remained relatively stable. Mixed beef cuts still sell between Rwf 6,500 and Rwf 7,000 per kilogram, with only slight fluctuations. Chicken prices vary but have not seen a major increase.
Meat prices have slightly gone up
Nyabugogo market shows similar trends
At Nyabugogo Market, where slaughtering facilities are also available, beef prices have remained steady at around Rwf 6,500 per kilogram.
Other meat prices have not changed significantly, except for chicken, which fluctuates and can exceed Rwf 5,000.
Rice prices remain stable as well, with Tanzanian rice selling between Rwf 1,800 and 2,100 per kilogram.
However, locally produced cooking oil has increased from Rwf 2,500 to about 3,200 per liter.
White potatoes now cost around Rwf 650 per kilogram, up from 400, while Kinigi potatoes have risen to Rwf 800 from 500 in just two months.
Tomatoes have doubled in price from Rwf 500–600 per kilogram, while fruits have increased by Rwf 200–500 per kilogram, raising the overall cost of doing business.
One fruit trader said the rising prices have made it harder to operate, as capital requirements have doubled in some cases while supply remains inconsistent.
Most traders agree that rising fuel prices are the main driver behind these increases. However, they note that relatively stable diesel prices have helped prevent even steeper hikes in other goods.
A kilogram of tomatoes has increased from Rwf 600 to Rwf 1200
Construction materials also affected
Traders dealing in construction materials report that cement and electrical cables have been among the most affected.
A 50 kg bag of Cimerwa cement, which cost around Rwf 9,500 two months ago, now sells for nearly Rwf 15,000. Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Twiga cement has increased from Rwf 14,000 Frw to between Rwf 16,000 and 16,500.
Electrical cables have also surged. A 100-meter roll of Alpha cables now costs between Rwf 65,000 and Rwf 70,000, up from Rwf 40,000–45,000.
Other materials have seen moderate or no changes. For example, 12-meter steel rods (12 mm thickness) still cost around Rwf 16,000, while roofing sheets (gauge 30)have increased from Rwf 9,500 to about 12,000.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, consumer prices in Rwanda rose by 9.2% in March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting broader inflationary pressures in the economy.
Traders dealing in construction materials report that cement and electrical cables have been among the most affected.Rice prices have been reportedly remained stablePineapples have also been affacted by change in prices.
The change will take effect on September 1, 2026, marking the end of one of the most consequential leadership periods in the tech giant’s history. Cook will remain CEO until then to oversee a smooth handover before assuming a more strategic position focused on governance and engagement with policymakers.
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has been appointed as Cook’s successor. The appointment, approved unanimously by Apple’s board, makes Ternus the company’s next chief executive and signals the first leadership change since Cook succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011.
Apple said the transition reflects long-term succession planning rather than a dramatic strategic shift, with continuity expected across its core operations and business model.
A defining Cook era
Cook, only the second CEO in Apple’s history, took over following Steve Jobs’ resignation in 2011. Over his tenure, Apple evolved into one of the world’s most valuable companies, expanding its reach to more than 200 countries and territories and growing its active device base to over 2.5 billion.
Under his leadership, Apple’s market value surged from around $350 billion to approximately $4 trillion, while annual revenue rose from $108 billion in fiscal 2011 to more than $416 billion in fiscal 2025.
Cook is widely credited with strengthening Apple’s global supply chain, scaling its operations, and reshaping its business model through a major shift toward services. Products such as iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Pay helped build a services division generating over $100 billion annually, providing stable, high-margin revenue beyond hardware sales.
Apple also expanded into new product categories, including the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro during his tenure, while increasing its retail footprint to more than 500 stores globally. The company also reported a significant reduction in its carbon footprint, cutting emissions by more than 60% compared to 2015 levels.
Ternus takes over as Apple’s hardware leader
John Ternus, who has spent more than two decades at Apple, brings a deeply technical and engineering-focused background to the top role. Joining the company in 2001, he rose through the hardware engineering ranks before becoming vice president in 2013 and joining the executive team in 2021.
Ternus has overseen development across Apple’s major product lines, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods. He has also been associated with key innovations in materials, durability, and performance.
Recent product milestones under his leadership include the MacBook Neo and the iPhone Air, as well as improvements to AirPods featuring advanced noise cancellation technology. Apple also credits him with driving efforts in sustainability, including the use of recycled materials and extended product durability.
His appointment is widely viewed as a move toward reinforcing Apple’s engineering and product-led culture.
Balancing services growth with product innovation
Ternus takes over at a time when Apple faces growing pressure to accelerate innovation. While Cook’s tenure transformed Apple into a services-powered ecosystem, critics have argued that the company has recently relied on incremental product updates compared to earlier breakthrough eras.
At the same time, competitors such as Google and Microsoft are advancing rapidly in artificial intelligence, intensifying pressure on Apple to respond more aggressively in the AI space. The company is reportedly exploring partnerships, including integrating Google’s Gemini model into its next-generation Siri assistant.
Slower consumer upgrade cycles and global supply chain risks also present challenges. Apple has already begun diversifying manufacturing away from China to markets such as Vietnam in response to geopolitical uncertainty.
Analysts expect Ternus to emphasise hardware innovation while maintaining Apple’s highly profitable services ecosystem, striking a balance between product reinvigoration and stable recurring revenue.
Cook described the transition as “the greatest privilege of my life,” while praising Ternus as a leader with a strong engineering mindset. Ternus, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to build on Apple’s long-standing values.
As Apple prepares for this leadership shift, the company enters a new chapter shaped by continuity at the top, but with renewed expectations around innovation in an increasingly competitive global tech landscape.
Tim Cook (right) and John Ternus at Apple Park. Apple has appointed Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus as CEO effective September 1, 2026. The board is handing the 25-year company veteran control of Apple as Tim Cook exits the top operating role after 15 years.
The meeting took place on the afternoon of April 20, 2026, according to a statement from the Office of the President.
The statement noted that their discussions centered on strengthening ties between Rwanda and the Ashanti Kingdom, with a particular focus on expanding opportunities in trade, investment and mineral trading.
The Ashanti Kingdom is one of around 16 traditional kingdoms in Ghana and is among the most historically influential in both Ghana and West Africa.
It rose to prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries. Located in central Ghana, the kingdom covers an area of more than 24,000 square kilometers.
The Ashanti people belong to the Akan ethnic group, which established the kingdom around the 1600s under King Osei Tutu.
Kumasi serves as the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom and is widely regarded as a major center of culture and history in Ghana.
Today, the kingdom is led by King Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the 16th ruler, known as the Asantehene. He serves as both a political and spiritual leader of the Ashanti people, although he does not hold an official role within Ghana’s government.
King Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II ascended to the throne on April 26, 1999, following the passing of his uncle, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. He is widely respected in Ghana for his cultural leadership and is seen as a symbol of unity among the Ashanti people.
The Ashanti Kingdom’s economy is largely driven by gold mining, agriculture, trade, and tourism.
Cooperation between Rwanda and the Ashanti Kingdom adds to Rwanda’s already strong bilateral relations with Ghana. The two countries maintain partnerships in areas such as air transport, defense, and security.
They also collaborate in the private sector, tourism, culture, finance, and trade.
Rwanda opened its High Commission in Ghana in 2020, while Ghana established its High Commission in Rwanda in 2024.
President Paul Kagame has received a delegation led by Prince Oheneba Yaw Otchere, Royal Ambassador of the King of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana.The meeting took place on April 20, 2026. President Kagame and Prince Oheneba Yaw Otchere held discussions centered on strengthening ties between Rwanda and the Ashanti Kingdom
The substantive hearing of the case was held on Monday, April 20, 2026, after proceedings had earlier been adjourned to allow the accused’s lawyers to be physically present with him at Mageragere Prison, where he is being held.
DJ Toxxyk is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, engaging in activities related to narcotic drugs or substances treated as such, and fleeing after causing or being involved in an accident.
The charges stem from a road accident that occurred in the early hours of December 20, 2025, in which a traffic police officer died. Investigators also reportedly recovered illegal drugs from his residence during the subsequent investigation.
Prosecutors asked the court to find him guilty on all counts and impose the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter, which under Rwandan law carries a prison term of between six months and two years, along with a fine ranging from Rwf 500,000 to Rwf 2 million.
Drug-related offences carry a prison sentence of between one and two years or community service, while fleeing after causing or being involved in an accident is punishable by between three months and one year in prison, depending on the circumstances.
During the hearing, DJ Toxxyk admitted to charges of involuntary manslaughter and fleeing after causing or being involved in an accident, but denied the drug-related allegations.
He also told the court that he had apologised to the family of the deceased police officer and that they had forgiven him.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict on May 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
The Prosecution wants the Nyarugenge Primary Court to convict Shema Arnaud De Bosscher, popularly known as DJ Toxxyk, on charges including involuntary manslaughter and sentence him to two years in prison, along with a fine of Rwf 1 million.
The award-winning artist made the remarks during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, where he opened up about family, fatherhood, and the lessons he learned from his own journey into music.
Davido said he would prefer his children to work in the companies owned by his father, Deji Adeleke, instead of navigating the challenges of the entertainment world.
According to the singer, his decision is largely influenced by the struggles he faced before finding success in music.
He explained that his father initially did not support his decision to pursue music, a situation he said affected him deeply before his eventual breakthrough.
Responding to a question on whether he would want his children to enter the industry or work with their grandfather, Davido replied, “Omo, go and work with my dad.”
He went on to describe how much joy his father finds in spending time with his grandchildren, especially during family gatherings such as Christmas.
“Every Christmas, my dad takes all the grandkids with him. And I could just see that upon all the things he has including multiple private jets and all that, his happiness is him seeing his grandchildren,” he said.
Davido also noted that seeing his father’s happiness changed his perspective on life and success.
“And my father is single. So I just saw his happiness and I’m like meh, this is like what life is all about,” he added.
Reflecting on his own experience, the singer said his father’s early resistance to his music career “really killed my joy” until he eventually proved how determined he was.
Despite preferring a different path for his children, Davido said he would not stop them if they chose entertainment, adding that one of his daughters is already showing interest in music.
“I wouldn’t want to do that to my kids as well. My daughter is already singing and dancing,” he said.
Davido said he would prefer his children to work in the companies owned by his father, Deji Adeleke, instead of navigating the challenges of the entertainment world.
The research, involving over 72,000 adults, found that increasing your daily step count, even by just a few thousand steps, can lead to substantial health benefits.
Those who walked 9,000 to 10,000 steps a day saw a 39% lower risk of death and a 21% lower risk of developing heart disease compared to people who walked fewer steps.
But here’s the good news you don’t have to aim for the perfect 10,000 steps to experience these benefits.
Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, the lead author of the study, points out that even walking 4,000 to 4,500 steps a day could significantly reduce your health risks.
“Half of the total reduction in risk was already achieved by those walking just 4,000 steps a day,” he explained. This shows that small, manageable increases in physical activity can still have a big impact on your health.
The study used wrist-worn step trackers to monitor participants over seven years and found that even people who spent a lot of their day sitting could lower their risk of early death or heart disease simply by adding more walking into their routine.
Dr. Ahmadi stresses that sitting for long periods is still something to avoid. But he also says, “All movement matters,” and encourages people to make small changes to their daily activity. “Even a slight increase in steps can make a big difference for your health,” he added.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, a senior researcher in the study, also highlighted how easy it is for people to track their progress.
“Step count is a simple and accessible way for everyone from the public to health professionals to monitor physical activity,” he said.
With this study, researchers hope to create better guidelines for daily movement, making it easier for people to stay active.
So, the takeaway is clear: no matter how busy or sedentary your day is, adding a few extra steps could lead to longer, healthier years. And remember, you don’t need to run a marathon, just a few thousand steps could be the boost your heart needs.
Regardless of how much you sit, increasing your walking can reduce your risk of death and disease.
The Joint ICAO–EASA Regional Environmental Workshop, hosted by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), brings together stakeholders from Eastern, Western and Central Africa under the ICAO–EU ACT-SAF Assistance Project.
The meeting follows key environmental resolutions adopted at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montréal, Canada, in October 2025 and is expected to translate global aviation climate commitments into regional implementation pathways.
Opening the workshop, officials underscored the urgency of decoupling aviation growth from rising greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining the sector’s critical role in connectivity and economic development across Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Rwanda, the Head of Section for Green and Digital Transition, Helena Guarin, said sustainable aviation fuels present a key opportunity for African countries to reduce emissions while strengthening energy independence.
“Decoupling air traffic growth from greenhouse gas emissions is one of the key challenges. Sustainable aviation fuels could offer possibilities for African countries to achieve this while also enhancing energy independence,” she said, noting that scaling SAF will require strong technical capacity, long-term planning and significant investment.
ICAO Deputy Regional Director for the Eastern and Southern Africa Office, Richard Gatete, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving aviation decarbonisation, noting progress already made across the continent.
He said about 81 percent of Eastern and Western/Central African states have taken steps toward CORSIA readiness, while 75 percent have joined the ACT-SAF programme, which supports the development of sustainable aviation fuel projects.
“Aviation stands at a defining moment. As global air traffic continues to grow, our shared responsibility to ensure that growth is sustainable, inclusive and environmentally responsible has never been greater,” Gatete said.
He added that while momentum is building around SAF feasibility and implementation projects, access to finance remains a major challenge requiring coordinated action between governments, industry and development partners.
Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment said the aviation sector must be integrated into broader national climate strategies, noting that energy-related emissions remain a major contributor to greenhouse gases and are expected to rise significantly in the coming decades.
Representing the Minister of Environment, Acting Director General for Environment and Climate Change, Thadée Twagirimana, said Rwanda is committed to supporting initiatives such as CORSIA and SAF development under the ACT-SAF programme.
“The aviation sector plays a vital role in regional development and connectivity. However, it also presents notable challenges in balancing growth with sustainability,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation between governments and industry stakeholders.
Over the four-day workshop, participants will focus on the implementation of CORSIA, the expansion of SAF production and supply chains, emissions reduction strategies, and financing mechanisms to support large-scale deployment of green aviation technologies.
Key sessions include discussions on States’ Action Plans for emissions reduction, SAF certification and deployment, feedstock sustainability, airport infrastructure roles, and investment frameworks for aviation decarbonisation.
The workshop also provides a platform for African states to share experiences and best practices, as well as to explore regional solutions for scaling sustainable aviation fuels and improving operational efficiency through initiatives such as free route airspace.
ICAO said the outcomes of the Kigali meeting are expected to contribute directly to advancing the Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050.
The workshop continues through April 23, 2026, bringing together governments, international organisations and private sector actors in what officials describe as a critical step toward building a more sustainable aviation future for Africa.
The Joint ICAO–EASA Regional Environmental Workshop, hosted by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), brings together stakeholders from Eastern, Western and Central Africa under the ICAO–EU ACT-SAF Assistance Project.The workshop is expected to translate global aviation climate commitments into regional implementation pathways.Speaking on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Rwanda, the Head of Section for Green and Digital Transition, Helena Guarin, said sustainable aviation fuels present a key opportunity for African countries to reduce emissions while strengthening energy independence.ICAO Deputy Regional Director for the Eastern and Southern Africa Office, Richard Gatete, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving aviation decarbonisation, noting progress already made across the continent.Representing the Minister of Environment, Acting Director General for Environment and Climate Change, Thadée Twagirimana, said Rwanda is committed to supporting initiatives such as CORSIA and SAF development under the ACT-SAF programme.Different countries from across the region are represented at the workshop,Key sessions include discussions on States’ Action Plans for emissions reduction, SAF certification and deployment, feedstock sustainability, airport infrastructure roles, and investment frameworks for aviation decarbonisation.The workshop also provides a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and best practices.The four-day workshop will close on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
